During his press conference on Saturday, Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said the team would go outside the organization for advice on how utilize their time correctly considering they don’t play again until May 27, which is still eight days away. The Athletic’s Joe McDonald (subscription required) adds that Sweeney was talking about consulting the New England Patriots of the NFL, a team that has spent quite a bit of time playing in Super Bowl games.
In fact, Boston’s four major franchises have combined for 12 titles this century, but with six Super Bowl Championships, the Patriots may know how to stay sharp more than anyone. The team hopes to take some of Bill Belichick’s tips to heart. “Hopefully they’ll be able to share some information with us,” Sweeney said.
There was initially some talk of an intra-squad game, but there is no real way to simulate a Stanley Cup Finals game, nor is the team thrilled about opening up their players to possible injury. In the end, rest might be the best course of action.
In the short term, it’s really beneficial for our group. We’ve been pedal to the metal here, mentally and physically, for a while. I do believe in the short term it will help us a lot. Then it’s incumbent upon us to simulate the best we can with what’s going to be required going forward.
- TVA Sports (translation required) suggests that while there are plenty of rumors surrounding the Montreal Canadiens being interested in putting together an offer sheet to pry Mitch Marner away from the Toronto Maple Leafs, the writer suggests instead the team should use an offer sheet instead to get Kasperi Kapanen, which would have a much higher chance of success. If the Canadiens offer Kapanen a deal anywhere from $4.23MM to $6.63MM for at least three years, the compensation would only be a first and a third-round pick, which would likely be worth the acquisition.
- The New York Post’s Joseph Staszewski reports 2019 draft prospect Kaapo Kakko said that his goal is to become the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft to the New Jersey Devils. Kakko is currently expected to be the second-overall pick in the draft, slated to go to the New York Rangers with prospect Jack Hughes expected to end up in New Jersey. However, an impressive showing so far at the World Championships for Finland might be enough to push him one notch higher. “This is a big thing for me for the draft,” Kakko told NHL.com through a translator. “I think I can be the first [pick]. “I’ve played well. I haven’t paid much attention to Jack Hughes and his game, but I’m confident I’ve been able to let everyone see my skills and the level of my game. It’s not going to be an easy choice for the teams.”
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press looks back at the Detroit Red Wings’ 2015 NHL draft, analyzing its success. The team drafted Evgeny Svechnikov that year, who lost some valuable development time last season when he was forced to undergo ACL surgery in September. While the team still has a few pending prospects from that draft, the key to the draft will be Svechnikov, who so far has just two goals in 16 games and needs a bounce-back season if they don’t want to look at that draft as a failure.
DaRev
Kakko has looked like an NHLer, I can see him going first, I don’t really think there is a clear cut #1
davidkaner
Jack Hughes is a generational difference maker player & Kakko, who is very skilled, plays a position where you can find a talented Winger in round 1 all the way down through round 4, you can’t find another player like Hughes. Not a chance they pass on a once in a generation D guy. Kakko goes number 2!
diller1340
This is the 2016 draft all over again……. Jack Hughes is Auston Matthews and Kappo Kakko is Patrik Laine. Both great players but one is a center and can have more impact on the game
met man
Can’t go wrong with either one.Kakko is more NHL ready now,but in time,Hughes will be just as ready.As a Ranger fan,I’ll be happy to have a great player to root for regardless
SuperSinker
Hughes’ burner
MacJablonski--NotVegasLegend
Kakko has more to prove — that a top-pick Finn doesn’t have to be Feast one month, then Famine the next (RU listening, Laine?)
pawtucket
^ I get headaches reading your stuff. You’re not witty
ThePriceWasRight
apart from Matthew’s, kane and Modano, us first overalls haven’t panned out either. both guys will be good but against pro players I’ve been more impressed by kaapko. That being said, many teams will like the hockey bloodlines with Hughes.
FrostyPucker
You are 100% correct sir. This draft is gonna be BALLER!